Children

I cannot believe it took me this long to include this wonderful book on the list. When a witch gets a craving for some pigs, the barnyard pigs disguise themselves as other barnyard animals to hilarious effect. I think adults may laugh even more than children at this one. Great book!

Maybe it is because I am a father of two young children, but I think Sandra Boynton is just about one of my favorite authors in the world. Her books are always wonderfully illustrated and filled with funny rhymes and mischief. I’d recommend any books Boynton writes (my children especially love Dinos to Go).

The wonderful parable of a brave-hearted maiden who refuses to be married off to “some dimwit in a tin suit.” Kids will love this different take on the traditional fairy tale of a damsel in waiting.

I am a huge fan of Sandy Koufax (read Jane Leavey’s terrific biography on the Dodger icon). This book is such an easy sell with boys. Andre Carrilho’s illustrations add so much, as young readers are treated to seeing Koufax’s perfect pitching motion.

Jeanne Willis always makes me laugh, and Tony Ross always provides Willis with fabulous illustrations. Funny how everything looks different when you’re upside down.

This is one of my all-time favorite books. I rate this and Larry McMurtry’s "Lonesome Dove" as the two greatest television adaptations of all time. Who would think I could draw a comparison between those two classics?

Looking for an interactive read aloud that is sure to delight young children? Go no further. Kids love participating in the sound effects of Fuge’s simple story with fun illustrations.

Jane Goodall is simply an amazing human being, and the brilliant author Jeanette Winter does a fine job of illustrating for children Goodall’s determination and bravery in studying wild chimpanzees and fighting for their protection and preservation.

If the author looks familiar, it’s because he co-wrote “The One-Minute Manager” with Ken Blanchard. What I really admire Spencer Johnson for is this inspiring series of “value stories” that show children examples of people who valued patience, determination, etc. There are a bunch of these books, and I selected this one because I often find the best way to get me interested in a person or subject is to read a brief children’s version first. Louis Pasteur was an amazing person – so amazing he has an adjective and a verb named after him.

With lovely illustrations by Barry Root, this touching story tells the tale of an old accomplished fiddle player teaching everything he knows to a young boy in Appalachia. The prose is lyrical – perfect for just before bedtime.

This is the perfect book to put a smile on your face at the end of a long day.  Enjoy the story of a frustrated mother dog who cannot understand why her puppy will quack and meow but not bark.

Fun look at whether legendary beasts like the Loch Ness Monster might exist and how to search for them. Very enjoyable reading adventure for kids and parents alike.

One of the biggest mistakes I see schools make is labeling young children poor readers. The majority of the time, poor readers are considered poor students. Big mistake, as a lot of poor readers are excellent mathematicians. Long’s series of math-oriented Wing Wing books are lighthearted and witty, and they consistently pull in a lot of reluctant readers.

Not that Klassen needs my publicity – but I just had to include this book, as my kids delight in this goofy fish tale that ranks up there with two of my other warped favorites, Ugly Fish and Tadpole’s Promise.

Since I recommended one Caldecott winner this month, I figured I could get away with another. Becker’s illustrations are simply stunning! This book is the inspiration for artful storytelling that you will never find in mandated school reading programs. Truly beautiful work.